Laying Hen Perch Design for Keel Bone Welfare

Keel bone fractures affect the majority of laying hens in enriched cages and cage-free systems - perch design is a critical factor in prevention.

Key Facts

Studies show 50-80% of laying hens in enriched colony and cage-free systems sustain keel bone fractures
Keel bone fractures cause chronic pain affecting behaviour, laying, and social interaction
The keel bone bears stress during perch landing; poor perch design increases fracture risk
Rounded perches, appropriate diameter (3-5cm), and correct height reduce injury rates
Padded perches and inclined perch arrangements have shown welfare benefits in trials
Genetic selection for keel bone strength is advancing but not yet industry-standard

Welfare Considerations

Keel bone fractures represent a hidden epidemic in laying hen welfare - often not recognised by producers and invisible to consumers. Chronic pain from fractures affects feeding behaviour, social interaction, and laying performance. The good news is that perch design modifications are practical and affordable interventions. Higher welfare schemes increasingly specify perch standards, but industry-wide adoption remains uneven. Genetic selection for fracture resistance and improved perch infrastructure are both needed at scale.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs from producers with higher welfare certification that specifies housing and perch standards
Support research and campaigns focused on keel bone fracture reduction
Advocate for perch design standards in hen welfare codes of practice
Reduce egg consumption or switch to plant-based alternatives
Engage with food businesses about their hen welfare improvement commitments
Follow welfare science bodies publishing keel bone research for updates